Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent out a strong warning to Iran, Wednesday, calling the suppression of demonstrators after the country's presidential elections "deplorable."

In a major foreign policy address to the Council on Foreign Relations, Clinton also said Iran has limited time to stop its nuclear military program and its support of terrorism before facing penalties.

"The choice remains clear," she said. "We remain ready to engage with Iran, but the time for action is now. The opportunity will not remain open indefinitely."

Clinton said she and the Obama administration are offering the Islamic Republic an option.

"Neither the president nor I have any illusions that direct dialogue with the Islamic Republic will guarantee success," she said. "But we also understand the importance of trying to engage Iran and offering its leaders a clear choice: whether to join the international community as a responsible member or to continue down a path to further isolation."

The speech is Clinton's first attempt to retake center stage as the administration's top voice on foreign policy after being sidelined by a fractured elbow in June.

The injury forced her to cancel two overseas trips with President Obama last week, but Clinton leaves Friday for a six-day trip to India and Thailand.